The most recent study shows that frequent coffee drinkers have a lower risk of dying from a variety of diseases, compared with people who drink little or no coffee. The report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine is the largest ever study of the relations between coffee consumption and health. It is, interestingly, based on information provided by retired people.

The research found that the regular coffee drinkers in the studied group were also more likely to be smokers, ate more red meat but fewer fruits and vegetables. They also exercised less and drank more alcohol – all of which are associated with poor health. The researchers therefore had to control for those risks and subsequently concluded that the more coffee a person consumed, the less likely he or she was to die from a number of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, infections and even injuries and accidents.

Curiously, the association between coffee and lower risk of dying was similar whether the coffee drinker consumed caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

Therefore although the study shows only an association between coffee consumption and lower risk for disease, coffee lovers like myself can feel reassured!